Exam 6: Learning Objectives for Chapters 13 and 14

Flashcards based on key concepts from Chapters 13 and 14 including vocabulary terms related to meiosis, genetic principles, and inheritance.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four haploid cells.

Sex chromosome

A chromosome involved in determining the sex of an organism, such as X and Y chromosomes in mammals.

Autosome

Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome; humans have 22 pairs of autosomes.

Haploid

A cell that contains a single set of chromosomes, typically represented as n.

Diploid

A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, typically represented as 2n.

Karyotype

A visual representation of an individual's chromosomes, arranged in pairs by size and shape.

Genetic recombination

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis, leading to genetic diversity.

Nondisjunction

The failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate properly during cell division.

Trisomy

A genetic condition where an individual has three copies of a specific chromosome instead of the normal two.

Phenotype

The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by both genetic and environmental factors.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual, referring to the specific alleles present at a given locus.

Dominant allele

An allele that is expressed in the phenotype even when only one copy is present.

Recessive allele

An allele that is expressed in the phenotype only when two copies are present, masking the effect of a dominant allele.

Linkage

The tendency of genes located close to each other on a chromosome to be inherited together.

Codominance

A genetic scenario where both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed, resulting in a phenotype that shows both traits.

Incomplete dominance

A genetic situation in which the phenotype of a heterozygote is intermediate between the phenotypes of the homozygotes.

Pure-breeding individual

An organism that, when mated with another of the same genotype, will produce offspring identical to itself.

Punnett square

A diagram used to predict the genotype and phenotype combinations of offspring from a genetic cross.

Pedigree

A chart representing a family tree, showing the occurrence of heritable traits across generations.